Nesting

Photo courtesy of Laura Normandin

I know we were all inspired by the Kim Family Auction which was held over a month ago- organized by Lisa Congdon, Geri Congdon, and Stephanie (Congdon) Barnes- and raising over $16,000 to benefit the family of James Kim, but I was also inspired by the artistry of many of the contributors.  I particularly loved the doll donated by Laura Normandin, owner of Wren Handmade, who I have admired for quite a while. 

There is so much inspiration to be found on blogs and websites...I am amazed every day at the talented people I find around the world...but it is rare when someone's aesthetic appeals to me so completely.  I usually admire the things that others make, and take my favorite parts, altering them to fit my life.  But I find the work of Laura Normandin *just perfect*-- from the folk-art quality of her dolls to the tiny outfits she crafts-- I wouldn't change a thing.

I was so inspired by the doll that Laura donated to the auction that I decided to redecorate my nursery.  Luckily, the paint doesn't need to be changed, and the only thing that I had really done in there was to make some simple blinds a year and a half ago.  I ordered the Liberty prints that Laura used in her doll's clothes, and now I just need to make some new curtains-- I am thinking simple white curtains with some sort of redwork at the bottom.  I think the red against the pale blue walls is sweet but unusual for a little girl's room.  I will use the Liberty prints as accents around the room.  I am thinking of making some little doll's clothes to hang from tiny hangers a la Alicia, or maybe even putting in a little clothesline like Martha did.  I want the room to have the spartan look of a typical nursery from Martha Stewart Baby. (oh how I miss that magazine)

This is the way I usually decorate a room, with one little snippet of inspiration, maybe a fabric or rug, and go from there.  Elliot's nursery (at our former house) was a similar soft blue with white dotted swiss curtains and blue gingham bedding.  It was inspired by a vintage table cloth that I have dragged with me since my college years with little farmers on it.  That bedding will match the Liberty prints- which I had completely forgotten about at first.  To be honest, I don't plan on pulling out the crib just yet.  I found that the only way I got any sleep with Elliot was to lay with him, so I am going to put a queen mattress on the floor for the baby and me, which later will replace our guest room mattress.  I am trying to think of ways to make this bed look put together, and not like some mattress thrown in the corner on the floor, so if you have any great suggestions let me know.

So, I've got five weeks to get this done.  I am also hoping to commission a doll from Laura, or even make one myself using her patterns (sorry- link has been broken) which are available on the the MSL website.  Yeah, I pretty much did backflips when I found those.  That way, if I buy the doll from Laura, I can continue making little outfits on my own.  Check back for progress...

Update: One of the MSL links is broken, the other has been updated.

Comments

[Carolyn]

Thank you for pointing towards the beautiful Laura Normandin doll pattern. I look forward to making it! I don't really have any suggestions re bed & baby. Could you do a daybed kind of thing: lots and lots of pillows and cushions for daytime decoration. Maybe not good for a baby though!

[Mama Urchin]

It all sounds wonderful.

[kayla_d]

Your house is absolutely gorgeous. I saw your toy room through a link on writemamawrite, and assumed it was a magazine room! I love your style! Glad I found your blog.

[Amy]

That's going to be awesome. I'm in the middle of redoing some rooms right now (all pending on the adoption of our baby girl!). I have a fabric basket I bought that is the inspiration for the redo... lots of colors that I never would have thought to put together.

[Kristin]

The doll and all the links in the post are so inspiring! The mattress on the floor was a big bummer in our house too. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

[fanja]

Hi Courtney, you are also an inspiration.. looking forward to see the newly decorated nursery, take it easy with the diy though!

[samantha]

thank you for the link to Laura's doll pattern, I can't wait to start making one. I love red with the blue, and particularly like that liberty fabric, not that I've found a liberty fabric I don't like yet! Your own style is also a source of inspiration for me.

[Erin]

Why not use Montessori's infant bed idea? You can make a simple box frame to put the mattress in, or buy a wooden bed and cut off the legs.
Here's one idea:
http://modernmontessoriaesthetic.blogspot.com/2006/05/day-4-floor-bed.html
Here's another:
http://mommybahn.blogspot.com/2006/05/montessori-shopping-links.html
Just an idea for you.

[Niki]

Thank you for the link to the doll pattern. They are truly wonderful, and just the thing to make for my daughter's doll shelf. Can't wait to see the new nursery. Pale blue and red is one of my all-time favorite color combos. I am actually working now on a sweater for my daughter in those very same colors. Thank you for the inspiration!

[kathy]

Thank you for that link. A fabulous pattern and I just love her simple design style for the clothing.

I like to say we practiced the family bed against our will with Caitlin. She slept with us the first two years of her life. I assumed Leil would be the same. On night 3 she was such a wiggler that I put her in the crib to see what would happen. She went straight to sleep and ended up loving her crib, never wanted to sleep with us. Of course, at age 3 she decided mom and dad's bed was quite comfy. It's tough to predict how they'll each do their thing. Have fun with it however it turns out.

[kate]

I fell in love with her after the Kim Family Auction too! Thanks for the pattern link. Although I'm in my 20s, I'm going to ask for one of her dolls for my birthday!

[Heels]

When I saw that doll, I gasped. The clothes. The doll! All absolutely perfect.

I have this book and am working on two dolls from it (the same doll, just one big one and one the size in the book) and my daughter loves to go through the book and pick out which clothes she wants me to make for her eventual dollies.

http://huangfamily.com/craftingjapanese/archives/2006/05/isbn4072498866.html#comments

[Amber]

Aiiiieee!! I've been away from your blog for too long and I have been loving those dolls like crazy and really dying to make one and now! Now! The link doesn't work! It redirects me to the home page!

Sounds like you are more than hands full at the moment, but if you get a chance, it would be really really lovely if you could see if there's another way I might be able to find it - suggestions of search terms? I was so excited.

Hope all's well with you, and thanks for linking for us anyway, even it it didn't work for me.

[Mary-Ellen]

I am so sorry to bother you with this, but I want to make that doll and searched Martha Stewart for days. My daughter wants one so bad, and I can't buy one. Do you have a PDF of the one that was on the site? Could you email it to me. I would be so greatful.

[Rakhi Yadav]

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[nb]

I've missed the link to the doll pattern! Is there anyone who can email me a copy of this? I love this doll and would really like to make one. Thanks

[Lisa]

I would love a link to the doll pattern as well. How do I get it?

Thanks!!!!!!